Apple scrap vinegar is a quick and easy way to turn apple scraps into homemade apple cider vinegar (ACV). Apple cider vinegar can be used as a home remedy for everything from warts to sunburn to acid reflux, and makes a tasty salad dressing. Homemade apple cider vinegar is not recommended for canning, because the pH will vary from batch to batch. If you wanted to create a homemade vinegar that was safe for canning, you’d need a pH of 2.4. (You can test pH with a digital pH tester.)
In the backyard or barnyard, apple cider vinegar can be added to drinking water to improve flock and stock health. It also helps prevent scum buildup inside watering containers. Add one tablespoon of vinegar per gallon of water. Just make sure to use plastic or glass waterers, as the acidity of the apple scrap vinegar will corrode metal. See “The Small Scale Poultry Flock” for more on using ACV with your flock.
PrintApple Scrap Vinegar Recipe
Easy, inexpensive homemade apple Cider vinegar made from apple scraps.
Ingredients
- Apple scraps, about a quart – you may use cores, peels or even chunks of banged up apples. Just don’t use anything rotten or moldy.
- 1/2 cup sugar (or honey)
- 1 quart non-chlorinated warm water
- 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar (optional)
If you want to make larger batches, just keep the same ratios.
Instructions
Mix sugar in water to dissolve. In a 2 quart mason jar or other large, nonreactive container (use glass, food grade plastic or stainless steel) add apple parts and enough sugar water to cover.
I like to fill the 2 quart mason jar about half full of apple scraps, then cover with a quart of sugar water. This gives you ample room to mix without spilling, and also allows plenty of room for bubbles formed during fermentation.
Add raw apple cider vinegar, if desired. This isn’t absolutely needed, but will help jumpstart the ferment. If you have had mold issues in your ferments before, the vinegar is a good safeguard.
Stir vigorously and cover opening with a cloth and rubber band to keep out fruit flies but allow natural yeasts in. Initially the smell should start out like apples and hooch (the microbes will produce alcohol before they switch to vinegar), then the sour vinegar smell will develop.
Keep jar at room temperature and stir daily for about a week. Strain out apple chunks and compost them (or give them to the chickens). Return to fermenting vessel and ferment for 2-3 more weeks, stirring occasionally. Strain and bottle, use for cooking, cleaning, critters or health, and enjoy your homemade vinegar that only cost you pennies to make.
You may also enjoy:
- Preserving Apples – Making Applesauce, Apple leather and Dried Apple Slices
- Easy Apple Crisp
- Cranberry-Apple Pie with Maple Syrup and Cinnamon
Originally published in 2016, updated in 2018.
